Mercurius (crater)

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The crater at the extreme right of an Atlas-centered image in selenochromatic format (Si) with some landmarks. More infos here : https://www.gawh.it/main/selenocromatica Atlas Si Ferruggia Zetta.jpg
The crater at the extreme right of an Atlas-centered image in selenochromatic format (Si) with some landmarks. More infos here : https://www.gawh.it/main/selenocromatica
Mercurius
Mercurius crater 4165 h2.jpg
Oblique Lunar Orbiter 4 image
Coordinates 46°40′N66°04′E / 46.66°N 66.07°E / 46.66; 66.07
Diameter 64.3 km (40.0 mi)
Depth Unknown
Colongitude 295° at sunrise
Eponym Mercury

Mercurius is a lunar impact crater that is located in the northeastern part of the Moon. It was named by the IAU in 1935. [1]

It lies to the northeast of the smaller crater Carrington, and west-northwest of Zeno. Just to the south is the small lunar mare named Lacus Spei, and to the west is the larger Lacus Temporis.

The rim of Mercurius is circular, with a somewhat irregular edge. There are small outward bulges along several sections of the rim, with the most notable bulges being along the eastern and southern sides. The inner wall has slumped around much of the perimeter, producing a sharp edge. The sides are also somewhat worn, with some tiny craterlets overlying the inner wall.

Within the rim the interior floor has been resurfaced by lava and is nearly level, with a slight hint of a central mound. The remainder of the floor is marked only by a few tiny craterlets and some low ridges in the northeastern corner.

Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Mercurius.

MercuriusLatitudeLongitudeDiameter
A48.0° N73.6° E20 km
B47.4° N70.0° E13 km
C47.5° N59.4° E26 km
D46.1° N68.6° E50 km
E49.7° N73.3° E29 km
F45.2° N62.9° E17 km
G45.1° N64.3° E13 km
H49.2° N63.6° E10 km
J47.2° N59.0° E9 km
K47.4° N73.2° E21 km
L45.9° N64.3° E12 km
M50.9° N73.9° E40 km

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References

  1. "Mercurius". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. IAU/NASA/USGS . Retrieved 28 April 2024.